Melanie Wright, mother of three (Colby, 4, Taylor, 2, and Halle, 5 months), wondered that same thing. She knew it could be done, but with all the figure hugging, low-cut shirts on the market, she just wasn’t sure how. As a young mom, Melanie wanted to dress sexy and stylish, but “was past dressing like Paris Hilton.” Here’s the story of how Melanie revived her wardrobe AND is making a little cash on the side.

 The Wright Family

Melanie and her husband, Jared, share an entrepreneurial spirit. Jared’s family owns and operates Wright’s Bar-B-Que in Vidor. Melanie launched her own company in the scrapbooking industry, but it took too much time away from her family, so she closed the company. “I have always had an interest in owning a part-time business that worked around my family. I wanted to do something for me, something that I would be passionate about, something that would let me make some extra money for my family, and most importantly, something that wouldn’t distract FROM my family,” says Melanie. In her search for a way to work a part-time business, Melanie discovered Shade Clothing, a young company out of Utah that designs modest, sophisticated shirts. Shade Clothing creator Chelsea Rippy was fed up with shopping for fashionable pieces that weren’t too revealing. She grew tired of coming home from a shopping trip empty handed. So, she began designing shirts that could accompany today’s hottest styles and provide coverage for more revealing, but stylish shirts already found in a woman’s wardrobe. Melanie fell in love with Shade Clothing and became a personal shopper for the company early 2006. She helps women fix problem shirts and gives them a new confidence to wear today’s styles without worry. Being modest doesn’t mean being frumpy; it just means dressing in clothing that isn’t too revealing (whether you are covering aging, stretch marks or just want to be covered)!

Melanie shares her passion for fashion and modesty with the girls in the youth group at her church. Most recently, 16-year-old Kayla Jarrell of Vidor coordinated a modest fashion show (for a service project), complete with models and an emcee, at Wright’s Bar-B-Que for her family and friends. Melanie and Kayla took existing shirts and accessories in Kayla’s wardrobe, paired them with Shade, and created brand new looks current with today’s trends.

So, what’s the big deal with these shirts? Key features include higher necklines, longer lengths, and close arm holes (so your bra doesn’t show underneath your arm). Where can you find Shade? Personal Shoppers are Shade’s main channel of distribution. To try the shirts on, you can arrange for a fitting- Melanie will come to your house or you can go to hers. In addition, Melanie can showcase Shade at your home for family and friends, too. Shade also has maternity styles, which can be found at Belle Maman in Beaumont.

To order or to arrange a fitting, contact Melanie Wright at 409.681.9070 or melanie.wright@shadeclothing.com. To shop Shade online, visit www.shadeclothing.com. Enter Personal Shopper code WRI25740 to receive a discount at checkout.

Buzz Creator Note:  Personally speaking, I was so tired of having to fidget with my shirts all day. When I found Shade about one year ago, my son was around one year old. He would constantly pull on my clothes and my shirts would get all stretched out (the trusty Old Navy tanks just weren’t cutting it!). Then, every time I bent over, my back would show from a shirt being too short or the neckline would hang down, exposing my bra. I felt like a slob! Now, all those problem shirts have a solution! I just throw a Shade shirt under any style I have that I love, but really is too revealing. I wear a Shade shirt nearly everyday (through hosting Shade Showcases in my own home, I have 26 shirts- most of which I’ve never had to pay for!)

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